Tunbridge Wells’ Will Bayley wins class 7 singles gold at Slovenia Para Open with class 18 doubles silver for Minster’s Ross Wilson
Published: 05:00, 14 May 2024
Will Bayley and Ross Wilson both returned from the Slovenia Para Open with another medal to add to their collections.
Tunbridge Wells’ Bayley, who has already sealed his place at the Paralympics this summer, came out on top in the class 7 category beating two-time European team bronze medallist Michal Deigsler to gold.
Wilson, from Minster, bounced back from an early class 9 singles exit to team up with Ashley Facey in an-all GB class 18 doubles Final, winning silver after losing to Aaron McKibbin and Joshua Stacey.
Bayley’s hopes of a second medal alongside Martin Perry in the class 14 competition ended with a 3-1 Quarter-Final defeat to Jonas Hansson and Sam Gustaffon, and despite a 3-0 win in the singles Final he had to up his game in the second set after losing a 7-3 lead - eventually edging it 12-10.
“I would have been really disappointed to lose that second set,” said Bayley.
“I felt like I was in a really nice rhythm and playing well and I kind of relaxed which sometimes happens when you are almost playing too well.
“You take your foot off the gas and you can’t do that at this level because you’re suddenly in a dogfight when you think you’re comfortable. Fair play to him, he stuck in there when I lost my focus, and he nearly nicked that second set.
“I’m so happy to win gold here again, it is one of my favourite events. Gorazd (Vecko, British Para Table Tennis performance director) is Slovenian and it is like a home tournament for us.
“We’ve been playing this tournament for so long and we train here so I feel really comfortable.”
Wilson, meanwhile, failed to get out of his group in the class 9 competition, but enjoyed a stronger doubles campaign alongside new partner Facey.
After an opening defeat, the pair racked up four wins - including a come-from-behind 3-2 Semi-Final success over Andras Csonka and Su Jin Sian - but let slip 10-6 and 10-7 leads to lose the gold-medal match 3-0.
“I think we’ve played a lot of good matches,” said Wilson. “This is our first competition together as well so it has been nice to build through the tournament and have that team chemistry.
“Obviously when you’re playing your own teammates it’s a bit different so that feeling wasn’t there as much in the Final, but we have had a good competition and we’ve tried to build on what we started.”
Wilson heads to Thailand later this month hoping to secure his place in Paris at the World Paralympic Qualification tournament. Should he fail to win there, his only hope is a wildcard for the Games. These are due to be announced at the end of June.
He added: “I’m not very happy with my [singles] competition here, but I think Thailand will be a completely different competition and I’m looking forward to getting out there and challenging myself with that.”
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KentOnline Sports Reporter